FAQ's

Shopping

What are your hours?
We are open Tuesday to Friday from 10am - 4.30pm, Saturdays 10am - 2pm. We are open late on Thursday night by appointment only.

Do I need to make an appointment to try on wedding gowns?
Yes, in order to provide you with our full and personalised service, appointments are necessary.

How long is my appointment?
Appointments are scheduled for 1 hour. This allows plenty of time to try on a wide selection of gowns. Any longer than an hour can become confusing and tiring. If you haven't found your dream gown in this time frame, we recommend rescheduling with a fresh mind.

Is there a charge to try on gowns?
No, at Brides on Devonport we currently do not charge for genuine Brides.

What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring pictures of dresses you've seen on our website, in magazines, or that you've tried on elsewhere. Bring an open mind: don't be surprised if you find "the dress" on your first visit; or if it's completely different to what you've dreamed it might be!

Who should I bring to my appointment?
Although we can accommodate up to 3 people, we normally find that one or two close friends or family, ensures you are not overwhelmed and keeps the focus on you!

Can I bring my Father or Fiancé (or any other Man) with me?
In consideration for other brides, if you are wanting to bring a man to the store with you, we ask that you schedule a private appointment during weekdays only. It is very off putting for other brides to have a strange man watching them try on wedding gowns, in particular when it is a sample gown and may not fit properly. Likewise if it is a Brides fitting, it is traditional that no man will see her in her wedding gown prior to the wedding day.

What size gowns are available for me to try on?
We carry a range of gowns from size 6 to size 22. Gowns can be ordered from size 0 to 30.

May I take pictures of the gowns while I try them on?
No, for copyright reasons we do not allow our gowns to be photographed. Once you have purchased a dress, you may take as many pictures as you'd like.

Buying

How far in advance do I need to buy my gown?
Most gowns take between 12 - 15 weeks to order. You also need to allow 6-8 weeks for your fittings and alterations, so ideally ordering around 6 - 8 months out from your wedding, allows the process to run smoothly.

How do I pay for my gown?
We require a 50% deposit on ordering. The other 50% is due within 14 days of the gown arriving in store. We accept Visa, MasterCard, EFTPOS and cash. Personal cheques are only accepted for deposits, not final payments.

Sale Gowns
If you are buying a sale gown off our rack, we require 100% payment and ask that you take the dress with you that day. Sale gowns do not include fittings or alterations.

What are the price ranges for your gowns?
Our gowns start at $499, but are more frequently in the $1200 - $2500. Off-the-rack gowns can be much less, discounted up to 50% off.

Fitting

When shall I schedule my first fitting?
We will contact you as soon as your dress arrives. Ideally your first fitting will be 6 weeks out from your wedding date. If time is short, we will make a separate plan with you, and if it is more than 3 months until your wedding day, we ask that you still come and personally check your gown (your fittings can still be done at a later date).

Do you do fittings on Saturdays?
Due to the busyness of the store, and for the safety of your gown, we prefer to do fittings during the week. We are open late on Thursday nights. If you can only come on a Saturday, you will need to book this well in advance, as fitting appointments are limited and book up quickly.

What should I bring to my first fitting?
You will need to bring the shoes and undergarments you'll wear on your wedding day in order to have your gown properly fit through the bodice and hemline. We have shoes and undergarments available instore, please let us know at your time of booking, if you are wishing to purchase these at you first fitting as we will need to schedule a longer appointment.

How many fittings will I need?
Most Brides require 2-3 fittings to ensure a perfect look. At your final fitting, we will schedule you in for a pickup. This allows us to ensure your gown is steam pressed and all ready for you.

How much will the alterations cost?
All full priced wedding gowns include your Hem and Bustle. All other alterations will be quoted at the time of your fitting.

All alterations to Bridesmaid gowns, Sale Gowns and Flowergirl Dresses are an additional cost, and will be quoted at the time of fitting.

Shipping

Can I purchase from you if I don't live in the Bay of Plenty?
Of Course! We have dealt with many happy Brides from Invercargill to Kaitaia and as far afield as England, Ireland, Australia, Dubai and China. If need be, we can undertake the entire process by phone or email, and courier your gown to you.

What is a rush order?
If your wedding date is sooner than the time we typically need to order a gown, we'll need to consult with the designer and place a "rush" order, for an additional fee. In this instance, your gown may arrive 1-3 weeks before your wedding.